Skye & The Western Isles provides information on how to get the best out of a trip to the islands with descriptions of the best walks and climbs; castles and blackhouses; history and culture; liveliest music and folk festivals; ceilidhs; and the finest food and drink, as well as full advice on how to get there by boat or air. It explains how readers can locate the cave where Robert the Bruce watched his spider, discover if they are related to a Hebridean family, or take a flight to Barra that lands on the beach.

The Western Isles are a haven for nature lovers: they can spot otters, seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and basking shark; discover Lapland marsh orchids, Norwegian sandwort, sundew, bog asphodel, and purple saxifrage; or find a bird reserve on North Uist renowned for rare corncrakes. Those of an active disposition can fish for trout and giant skate or climb a Munro on Mull where their compass needle points south while those with more indulgent interests can tour seven different whisky distilleries on Islay or sample heather ale on Skye brewed from an old Pictish recipe..